TACLOBAN CITY—A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was reported killed in a clash between soldiers and the communist rebels in an upland village of Borongan City in Eastern Samar on Saturday.
In another development, Army troopers seized three high-powered firearms and assorted war materials during an armed encounter at Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon on Friday afternoon, Jan. 5.
The Philippine Army identified the slain suspect as Martin Colima (alias Moki), secretary of the sub-regional committee (SRC) Sesame of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
The military said in a statement that Colima died during a gun battle between soldiers and a band of 10 rebels around noon on Saturday in remote Barangay San Gabriel.
Lt. Col. Allan Tria, commander of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion, said troops were in the village in response to repeated reports by civilians regarding the presence of the NPA in the area, conducting extortion activities and finding chances to attack members of the
Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit and former rebels.
“Details of their locations, movements, and activities revealed by the civilians provided our patrolling troops a chance to track their
location, which resulted in an e counter that killed Colima. Our soldiers also recovered one caliber. 45 pistol and seven backpacks in the encounter site,” Tria said.